• Thom Hartmann is traveling in Darfur, Laura Flanders was guest host today.
• Event: Winter Soldier: Iraq & Afghanistan.
• Have we lost our empathy? What do you do to keep your empathy muscles working?
• Guest: Phyllis Bennis, "Challenging Empire: How People, Governments, and the UN Defy US Power".
• Guest: Elliot Adams, Veterans for Peace.
• Guest: Geoff Millard, Iraq Veterans Against the War.
• Guest: Christy Harvey, Center for American Progress.
• Thom Hartmann called from Juba, South Sudan.
• Guest: Norman Solomon, author of War Made Easy. Movie event.

Topics, guests, upcoming events, quotes, links to articles, audio clips, books & bumper music.

Thursday 13 March '08 National show

• Thom Hartmann is traveling in Darfur, Laura Flanders was guest host today.
• Article: Public Is Less Aware of Iraq Casualties, Study Finds.
• "THESE are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as FREEDOM should not be highly rated. Britain, with an army to enforce her tyranny, has declared that she has a right (not only to TAX) but "to BIND us in ALL CASES WHATSOEVER" and if being bound in that manner, is not slavery, then is there not such a thing as slavery upon earth. Even the expression is impious; for so unlimited a power can belong only to God."
  The Crisis, Thomas Paine.
• Event: Winter Soldier: Iraq & Afghanistan will feature testimony from U.S. veterans who served in those occupations, giving an accurate account of what is really happening day in and day out, on the ground. You can watch it live online. It's the first since 1971. "Winter soldier" is in contrast with the "summer soldier" described by Thomas Paine.
• Article: Patriot missiles: Iraq Veterans Against the War .
• Article: The $3 trillion war in Iraq.
• March 20th s the 5th anniversary of the war on Iraq.
• PTSD.
• Article: White House won't remove loophole allowing foreign contractors to ignore fraud.
• Have we lost our empathy? What do you do to keep your empathy muscles working?
• The US is still not letting UN inspectors into detention centers in Iraq.
• Iraq death counts vary considerably.
• Admiral Fallon's resignation. He said there would be no attack on Iran on his watch. Does his resignation mean there will be an attack?
• Guest: Phyllis Bennis, Institute for Policy Studies. Author, "Challenging Empire: How People, Governments, and the UN Defy US Power". Fallon's leaving makes a strike on Iran more likely, say from 80:20 against to perhaps 50:50. He is temporarily being replaced by his deputy, but a change is expected. He is likely to be replaced by General Petraeus who already has ties to the White House. Is Cheney's trip to the Middle East for Israeli-Palestinian diplomacy, or to pressure Arabs to oppose Iran? The US has 3 warships off Lebanon. The answer is education. Call radio shows about the issue.
• Site: oilwars.com.
• A report about the connection between Saddam and al Qaeda was supposed to come out, but yesterday afternoon the Pentagon suddenly canceled plans. It will not be online after all. People will have to apply for their own copy on CD by snail mail.
• Article: Wounded Soldiers See the Pentagon In Private Parade.
• Matt, an Iraq vet, said he developed a morbid sense of humor to cope. He estimated a third use alcohol, a third use drugs, and a third cope.
• Guest: Elliot Adams, Veterans for Peace, a paratrooper in the infantry serving in Vietnam, Japan, Korea, and Alaska.
• Guest: Geoff Millard, Iraq Veterans Against the War. icasualties.org. More Vietnam vets have committed suicide back home than died in Vietnam. New wars reopen old wounds, increase suicides, PTSD.
• Movie: Sir! No Sir!
• Movie: War Made Easy.
• Article: Pentagon Dismisses KBR Contaminated Water: Troops Should ‘Just Drink Bottled Water’.
• Article: Pentagon scraps plan to post report on Iraq, al-Qaeda (entire report).
• Article: U.S. Tightens Smog Rules; Critics Say Not Enough.
• Guest: Christy Harvey, Director of Strategic Communications at the Center for American Progress, MicCheckradio.org. The Pentagon, Geoff Morrell response to toxic water being given to soldiers in Iraq. Contractors not having to report fraud etc. abroad. Pew study about Iraq death count, currently 3,973 +8. 5th anniversary of the Iraq war. There is a ceremony at the House today, but it's still very abstract. McCain and Lieberman going to Iraq? If it is safe enough for them, why not for reporters? Pentagon censorship of the Saddam/al Qaeda report. It's all the press's fault for talking about it. ABC news political blogger has the executive summary. The EPA has "stiffened" the smog standards. But the experts say it should be done in a much stronger and stricter way. President Bush intervened at the 11th hour.
• Thom Hartmann called from Juba, South Sudan near Darfur, where the paved road is; where the UN is based. Interesting day. People are saying not to talk about stuff, so most of it will have to wait until he comes back. He was standing next to a car that has 24 bullet holes in. Tomorrow they fly further by charter plane. Tell Carl Wolfson the satellite phones are flaky, he had better have some guests lined up.
• Guest: Norman Solomon, author of War Made Easy upon the film was based. There's a special screening in New York at the Quad tomorrow and he and Laura will be there for an after screening conversation. It will be showing for a week. It's a benefit for a group working on congressional races, Progressive Democrats of America. Fallon. The White House has not given up on an attack on Iran. Winter Soldier hearings; some of what was said last time round have been recycled.